The barber shop was the last place I wanted to be–
and certainly the last place I’d expect to be enlightened or rejuvenated.
I’d been under the weather for over a week and now struggled to fight off the last bit of sickness that settled in my throat. I could hardly speak above a whisper and wanted nothing more than to pick up the boys from school and head home to snuggle under a quilt with a hot cup of tea.
But as life goes, I had too many things to accomplish that day.
My to-do list was a mile long.
Both boys needed haircuts.
And several deadlines were soon approaching.
So I made my way across town, praying the wait wouldn’t be a long one and we’d be in and out in a hurry.
I had to wait–she’s the best barber in town.
We sat in quiet with another older gentleman listening to the television play its somber news in the waiting room while my throat tightened and the boys fidgeted in their seats.
The longer I waited, the more my throat burned–and the longer my to-do list grew.
But everything shifted with the barber.
When our wait was over, we walked in the room where she readily awaited and my younger son climbed into her barber’s chair. She smiled at us and lifted the conversation. And though I’d sat for quite some time through both boys’ haircuts and we’d discussed everything from report card grades to the uses of honey, the time had quickly passed and I found myself saddened by the thought I had to go.
Suddenly she stopped her scissors, as if she’d heard something remarkable. Stepping over to a small radio, she adjusted the volume and shared her song.
“My background music,” she said. The song she’d heard when God had shifted everything in her life and somehow she’d been forever changed.
I felt her music. I’d felt it from the moment my youngest son had sat in the barber’s chair. I’d hummed to its tune while we talked and while I’d stopped thinking about everything else to just enjoy a few moments on a busy Monday afternoon.
Within her background music, I forgot myself.
-my pain
-my long list of things to accomplish
-my worries and troubles and all those petty things I’d been tangled in just a few moments before
God sang her background music that now played over me–to move me in an entirely new direction.
I wonder–what song am I singing over the people I meet?
Is it powerful enough to move them to forget their own hurts and worries? Is it encouraging enough to move others toward God’s truth?
[Tweet “God exalted will be the victor’s song.”]
What about you?
Can others hear your accompaniment track?
Does its sound rejuvenate their hearts and encourage?
How has someone’s song changed you? Share your thoughts.
Lauren Jensen says
What a lovely story. I feel the knot in the chest as my list grows and things crop up that are more hassles than anything else. What a gift God gives in music to let us stop and chill and let Him wash over us. Thanks so much for this read today!
mitzi says
thanks, Lauren–happy you joined our conversation 🙂
Joanne Viola says
Brought to mind that He also sings over us….
“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17, NLT)
Blessings,
Joanne
mitzi says
I love that, Joanne–that verse sums it up!
Sandra @ Sandra's Ark says
Music is so precious a great gift from God.
mitzi says
I agree, Sandra–God’s often used music to soothe and uplift my heart
Beth says
Oh wow! Loved that story and your question is one I will be pondering. What song am I singing? I so love the gift of music. Thank you for sharing this story and for linking up for Three Word Wednesday.
mitzi says
thanks, Beth! me too!
Debbie Paradis says
Hi Mitzi this is the “barber” you also touched while you were in the barber shop. My throat tightened while I read your message not for any other reason than you’ve touched my heart with your beautiful words. Thanks for praising our Lord. We never know when or where He will show up. I’m always ready and eager to see him work in my shop.
mitzi says
Thanks, Debbie, for being an encouragement–so thankful for you! 🙂
James L. Rubart says
Love this. So powerful., and such a great reminder.
We get so focused on ourselves, we don’t remember that we are singing a song for everyone around us, whether we realize it or not.
mitzi says
Thanks, Jim! Your ‘music’ has made a powerful impression on my own. Words from our conversations resonate as I write and especially when I meet new people–taking the time to listen to another’s song creates harmony between us. 🙂
Carolynn Hipps Kinser says
What a wonderful testimony of God’s work in our lives. We never know when or where we may encounter a surprise blessing. Thank you God for providing those special moments when we are encouraged by others actions or words, Great read. Makes one think……
mitzi says
thanks, Carolynn–by taking time to comment, you’ve encouraged me today as well 🙂